China shuts 206 microblogs for porn, vulgar content

BEIJING (REUTERS) - Chinese authorities have shut down 206 microblogs for carrying pornographic and 'vulgar' content after receiving tip-offs from the public, state media reported on Friday, as the country increases scrutiny of the massively popular medium. More than half of the accounts were with Sina Corp's Twitter-like microblogging site Weibo, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, citing a statement from the State Internet Information Office. 'Relevant departments have criticised these sites for their slack management and have warned them to rectify their misconduct,' the statement said. Microblog providers and Internet portals, it said, must fulfil legal and social obligations and 'refuse to be used as a platform to spread obscene material'.